Every year about this time, it's not uncommon to see film crews running all around Spokane, furiously shooting scenes that feature some of the city's most famous backdrops. The reason for that, besides the mere expression of creativity, is most likely the annual 50 Hour Slam film festival/competition.

The 50 Hour Slam is a competition in which teams compete to see who can make the best film in a 50-hour period, Friday to Sunday night. On Friday they are given a task (say, a poem to somehow personify), sometimes a line of dialogue and some sort of prop that has to be incorporated into their short. Otherwise, they have to come up with a script, find a cast, doing the shooting, editing and complete all post-production within 50 hours.

Then the entries are judged (I am one of several judges), winners are chosen and everybody meets for a screening party to see who did what. This year, the Magic Lantern will preview the May 3 Audience Choice Screening (which will be held at the Bing Crosby Theater) by holding what it's calling The 50 Hour Slam Rewind at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24. The official press release reads as follows:

"Come see all the past winners of the 50 Hour Slam along with the organizers’ sentimental favorites they want to share with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Spokane’s indie talent at its best with short films from the last three years of the competition presented on the big screen at the Magic Lantern."

Tickets are $5. You can get more information by clicking here. Or simply drop by the theater and ask.

Note: I added the information that the May 3 screening of the 2014 50 Hour Slam finalists will be held at the Bing Crosby Theater.